An example of the Ukrainian BMP-55 heavy infantry fighting vehicle, a radically reworked T-55 tank converted to transport soldiers across the battlefield, has appeared somewhere in Ukraine. While it’s unclear when or where the imagery was taken, this seems to be the first time a BMP-55 has been sighted in an apparently operational context. With suggestions that only one example of these vehicles was ever completed, this makes its appearance all the more remarkable.
A front view of the BMP-55, somewhere in Ukraine. via X
The photos in question began to circulate on social media today and may have been first posted to Telegram by the Military Informant channel. The vehicle, partially covered in snow, looks to have been abandoned, although it shows no obvious signs of damage. It’s unclear whether the vehicle is still in Ukrainian hands or if it was captured by Russian forces.
via X
Spray-painted onto the rear of the hull, in blue, is “M113,” presumably a joke based on the U.S.-made armored personnel carrier, also in Ukrainian service, although a case of mistaken identity can’t be ruled out.
Whatever the story behind the vehicle’s current status, it’s surprising to see it, bearing in mind that it never progressed beyond prototype tests, as far as we know. There remains a possibility, albeit remote, that Ukraine may have launched production of the BMP-55, perhaps using T-54/55 series tanks captured in the country from the opposing Russian forces.
Originally, the BMP-55 was developed by the Kharkiv Armored Repair Plant, a major maintenance facility in the northeast Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. Work on the project appears to have begun around 2000, with the aim of making use of surplus T-55 tanks, which were no longer considered viable for frontline service.
The T-55’s turret was removed, and a new armored troop-carrying hull was mounted on the tank chassis. Unlike in the T-55, the new vehicle had the engine and transmission at the front of the hull, provided as a single unit that could be rapidly replaced.
A similar program was created to convert the T-64 main battle tank into a heavy infantry fighting vehicle, known as the BMP-64. There was another Ukrainian project, also based on the T-64, known as the Azovets, a specialized vehicle designed for infantry fire support in urban fighting. The prototype of this vehicle — or what was left of it — was captured by Russian forces in Ukraine last year, having been left buried for some time.
Official data from the manufacturer gives a weight of approximately 28.5 tons for the BMP-55, without armament. Meanwhile, there are accounts of a weight of around 44-46 tons, although this may well relate to the larger BMP-64.
A prototype BMP-64. Note that this vehicle is fitted with a turret armed with a 30mm autocannon as well as tube-launched anti-armor missiles. via X
The BMP-55 reportedly had the capacity to carry up to 10 troops, although a standard eight-man infantry squad is specified by the manufacturer. The troops disembarked via a new rear-mounted ramp, which also made it easier to load casualties. The vehicle was operated by a crew of three.
The open rear ramp of the BMP-55. via X
The armored personnel carrier seen in the recent imagery appears to have a launcher for a pair of anti-tank guided missiles in a remote station fitted on top of its hull, on the left-hand side of the vehicle, although there is no sign of the missiles themselves being loaded. As originally completed, there was also a remote weapon station on the right-hand side, fitted with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun, although this has since been removed from the vehicle.
The BMP-55 prototype with weapons stations fitted. via X
The BMP-55 hull’s armored protection was apparently able to withstand 25-30mm autocannon fire from the frontal arc, while the rear armor was said to be able to defend against 14.5mm armor-piercing rounds. Meanwhile, armor applied on the underside of the vehicle was designed to protect against TM-57 anti-tank mine blasts and the effects of similar weapons.
Further protection could be added in the form of explosive reactive armor (ERA) on the front and sides of the vehicle, as well as thermal cover on the top of the hull.
An official product card for the BMP-55. via X
The BMP-55 was apparently developed primarily for export, providing any of the many nations operating the T-55 with a low-cost means to field a ‘modern’ heavy infantry fighting vehicle fleet. The first prototype was reportedly completed by 2009.
In any event, neither the BMP-55 nor the BMP-64 received any export orders. Nor were they adopted for service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces. After all, during Ukraine’s years of peace in the 2000s, there was little impetus to convert tanks to become infantry fighting vehicles, although these would be of considerable value now, provided they were available in useful quantities.
It should be noted that the idea of converting surplus tanks into heavy infantry fighting vehicles has found traction elsewhere, notably in Israel.
The Israel Defense Forces have a long history of using heavy infantry fighting vehicles based on tank chassis. The Achzarit was an Israeli heavy IFV that was also based on a T-55 chassis, and it was followed by the Nagmachon and the Namer, which is in use today.
An Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Namer (Hebrew for Tiger) heavy IFV. The Namer is built on the chassis of the Merkava main battle tank. Photo by IDF via Getty Images Handout
These Israeli vehicles are considered especially useful for fighting in urban, counterinsurgency scenarios. Other roles well suited to these kinds of vehicles include combat engineering and, with appropriate armament fitted, fire support for infantry operations.
Broadly similar in terms of reusing tank chassis is the Russian BMPT, which takes a T-72 and reworks it for urban counterinsurgency warfare, inspired by lessons from Moscow’s two Chechen campaigns in the mid-1990s and early 2000s. The BMPT has been used in combat in Ukraine, although it appears to still be a very scarce vehicle in Russian service, with just one frontline unit so far having been equipped with them.
Geolocated this train carrying BMPT Terminators to 52.597429, 38.439473 outside of Yelets, Russia (~300km from Ukraine). The train is heading west. BMPT Terminators were only introduced into service a few years ago and haven’t been seen near Ukraine yet. https://t.co/H7azarZ0h1 pic.twitter.com/IPSwrqgZCc
— IntelWalrus (@IntelWalrus) February 20, 2022
Luhansk Oblast, Ukrainian forces from the 140th Marine Reconnaissance Battalion destroy a Russian BMPT Terminator with drone spotted indirect fire. pic.twitter.com/aj7iMtaGPv
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 9, 2023
As for the BMP-55, this may well be the first and only time we get to see it on — or close to — the battlefield. As noted earlier, accounts suggest that only one prototype was produced, with no evidence of follow-on vehicle conversions, unless these have been taking place since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in which case, it has not been reported.
It remains somewhat of a mystery what this example was doing, and to what degree it was exposed to combat. But, bearing in mind the rich tradition of armored vehicle development in Russia and Ukraine, it’s unlikely to be the last unusual fighting vehicle to make an appearance in the war.
Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
